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According to a statement made by general manager Jon Daniels, Beltre’s planned return Tuesday was probably a bit ambitious. Daniels said in an email that the most realistic expectation was late this week or weekend.

Beltre has missed five games since injuring the leg and leaving a game with the Boston Red Sox on April 8. He is eligible to come off the DL on April 24.

“The decision really came down to six or seven games,” Daniels said. “It’s not a risk we wanted to take at this point in the season.”

Beltre played in 161 games a season ago, much of that while managing a hamstring issue. He hasn’t been on the disabled list since the 2011 season.

Kevin Kouzmanoff made his fourth start in Beltre’s stead on Monday.

“I thought that I could manage it,” said Beltre, while adding that the extra rest “might be the smart idea, but I wasn’t happy with the decision.”

Contrite Elvis

A repentant Elvis Andrus was back in the lineup a day after being ejected for the third time in his career for arguing balls and strikes with umpire Alan Porter.

“He kind of gave me a warning as soon as I threw the bat,” Andrus said. “I think I said again, after I threw my bat, you know, ‘that pitch was down.’

“He has the right, and he threw me out.”

Andrus had hit safely in each of the Rangers’ first 11 games and now 12 of 13 after a single in the first inning on Monday.

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There is no closer controversy in Arlington, despite manager Ron Washington’s stated concern with Joakim Soria’s inconsistent command and Alexi Ogando’s recent run of effectiveness.

Ogando worked a perfect ninth for his first save of the season on Sunday in place of Soria, who was not available because of extended use Friday and Saturday. Ogando had retired 12 of the last 14 hitters he had faced entering play Monday.

“He’s got his fastball … hitting his spots,” Washington said of Ogando. “If he can throw that fastball where he wants to, he’s a tough guy.”

Soria was back on call Monday but not needed.

Ross takes the mound

Lefty Robbie Ross (1-0, 1.74 ERA) will make his third start this season Tuesday against former Rangers farmhand Blake Beavan. Ross hasn’t worked past the fifth inning in any of his two starts in which he’s thrown 96 and 98 pitches.

“I’d like to go deeper in the game,” Ross said. “Try to attack the zone and get out of innings … limit my pitch count.”

Briefly

• Matt Harrison gave up three runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings in a rehabilitation start for Double A Frisco on Monday. He struck out two and walked three.

• Lefty Joe Saunders (15-day DL, bruised left ankle) felt fine after a bullpen session Monday and will throw another on Wednesday.

• Right-handed relief pitcher Daniel McCutchen was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man and active 25-man rosters for Colby Lewis.

• Wednesday’s game will be broadcast on TV by Fox Sports Southwest Plus and on radio by KLIF/570 AM to accommodate programming conflicts with the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks.

• Tuesday is Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day. All players will wear No. 42 to honor the player who desegregated baseball.